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KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER - The Music and Show History
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BTR1701
May 13, 2018, 11:04:06 PM5/13/18
to
I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
"monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
---------------------
Robert Cobert scored the music for the original television movies. Gil
Melle wrote the music for the TV series, beginning with the theme that
begins with Kolchak whistling in the opening credits. Melle was hired
and the theme was written in 20 minutes, just before the opening credits
were shot.
Melle left the series after the fourth episode, saying it was becoming
too light-hearted. Composer Jerry Fielding took over scoring for the
remaining series, augmented by one score each from Greg McRitchie (best
known for his collaborations with Fielding, James Horner, and Luchi de
Jesus). Music Supervisor Hal Mooney re-used much of Melle's score in
various later episodes (most notably "The Spanish Moss Murders", which
has no credited score composer) along with material from the other
composers.
Two soundtrack albums have been produced. One, released in 2000 by
Varese Sarabande, features two suites of Cobert's music from the TV
movies. The other, a Universal Television soundtrack released in 2002,
features Melle's theme and scores written for the first three episodes:
"The Ripper", "They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be..." and "Vampire".
The Melle theme also appears on the TVT Records' "Television's Greatest
Hits Volume 5". However, all licensed soundtrack recordings of the theme
use an otherwise rare original recording alternate take of the theme.
Initially identifiable by the altered opening whistle, an off-key
electronic note is seemingly randomly introduced toward the end, but
when synchronized with picture, it corresponds to a specific visual.
Melle was known for his innovative use of electronic orchestration
(which was used throughout the series), however the producers chose not
to include this stylistic element in the main title for broadcast,
instead opting for a more conventional all-orchestral sound.
The show featured a wide range of guest stars and many Hollywood
veterans, including: Ken Lynch, Charles Aidman, Randy Boone, Scatman
Crothers, Dick Van Patten, Jan Murray, Larry Storch, Jeanne Cooper,
Alice Ghostley, Victor Jory, Murray Matheson, Julie Adams, John Dehner,
Phil Silvers, Bernie Kopell, Marvin Miller, Jesse White, James Gregory,
Hans Conreid, Mary Wickes, Henry Jones, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Mason,
Stella Stevens, Abraham Sofaer, David Doyle, Jim Backus, Kathleen
Freeman, John Hoyt, Dwayne Hickman, Eric Braeden, Tom Skerritt, Erik
Estrada, William Daniels, Jamie Farr, Pat Harrington, Larry Linville,
and Richard Kiel. Jimmy Hawkins appeared on the series as a Catholic
priest, in what was his last acting appearance. Darren McGavin's wife
and assistant, Kathie Brown, appeared in the final episode as LT Irene
Lamont.
In addition, the series provided the first professional writing credit
for Robert Zemeckis and his writing partner, Bob Gale, who wrote the
script for the episode "Chopper". David Chase, creator of THE SOPRANOS,
also worked on the series as a story editor, his first regular crew
position in Hollywood. Chase is credited on eight episodes, but as a
story editor, also helped rewrite the remaining twelve, and McGavin and
others attribute much of the show's quirky humor to his creative input.
The series' rating were mediocre and its star was growing dissatisfied,
resulting in cancellation after one year. The series aired on Friday
nights at 10PM-- a virtual graveyard for most TV series, particularly
one aimed at a younger audience. In January 1975, the show was moved to
Friday nights at 8PM, where it remained until August, when it was
cancelled. McGavin found himself rewriting scripts and doing much of the
work of a producer without getting the full credit and compensation of
one. McGavin had been unhappy with what he felt was the show's "monster
of the week" direction, and an exhausting film schedule. He asked to be
released from his contract with two episodes remaining to be filmed,
which the network granted in light of the show's dwindling ratings.
the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
"monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
---------------------
Robert Cobert scored the music for the original television movies. Gil
Melle wrote the music for the TV series, beginning with the theme that
begins with Kolchak whistling in the opening credits. Melle was hired
and the theme was written in 20 minutes, just before the opening credits
were shot.
Melle left the series after the fourth episode, saying it was becoming
too light-hearted. Composer Jerry Fielding took over scoring for the
remaining series, augmented by one score each from Greg McRitchie (best
known for his collaborations with Fielding, James Horner, and Luchi de
Jesus). Music Supervisor Hal Mooney re-used much of Melle's score in
various later episodes (most notably "The Spanish Moss Murders", which
has no credited score composer) along with material from the other
composers.
Two soundtrack albums have been produced. One, released in 2000 by
Varese Sarabande, features two suites of Cobert's music from the TV
movies. The other, a Universal Television soundtrack released in 2002,
features Melle's theme and scores written for the first three episodes:
"The Ripper", "They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be..." and "Vampire".
The Melle theme also appears on the TVT Records' "Television's Greatest
Hits Volume 5". However, all licensed soundtrack recordings of the theme
use an otherwise rare original recording alternate take of the theme.
Initially identifiable by the altered opening whistle, an off-key
electronic note is seemingly randomly introduced toward the end, but
when synchronized with picture, it corresponds to a specific visual.
Melle was known for his innovative use of electronic orchestration
(which was used throughout the series), however the producers chose not
to include this stylistic element in the main title for broadcast,
instead opting for a more conventional all-orchestral sound.
The show featured a wide range of guest stars and many Hollywood
veterans, including: Ken Lynch, Charles Aidman, Randy Boone, Scatman
Crothers, Dick Van Patten, Jan Murray, Larry Storch, Jeanne Cooper,
Alice Ghostley, Victor Jory, Murray Matheson, Julie Adams, John Dehner,
Phil Silvers, Bernie Kopell, Marvin Miller, Jesse White, James Gregory,
Hans Conreid, Mary Wickes, Henry Jones, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Mason,
Stella Stevens, Abraham Sofaer, David Doyle, Jim Backus, Kathleen
Freeman, John Hoyt, Dwayne Hickman, Eric Braeden, Tom Skerritt, Erik
Estrada, William Daniels, Jamie Farr, Pat Harrington, Larry Linville,
and Richard Kiel. Jimmy Hawkins appeared on the series as a Catholic
priest, in what was his last acting appearance. Darren McGavin's wife
and assistant, Kathie Brown, appeared in the final episode as LT Irene
Lamont.
In addition, the series provided the first professional writing credit
for Robert Zemeckis and his writing partner, Bob Gale, who wrote the
script for the episode "Chopper". David Chase, creator of THE SOPRANOS,
also worked on the series as a story editor, his first regular crew
position in Hollywood. Chase is credited on eight episodes, but as a
story editor, also helped rewrite the remaining twelve, and McGavin and
others attribute much of the show's quirky humor to his creative input.
The series' rating were mediocre and its star was growing dissatisfied,
resulting in cancellation after one year. The series aired on Friday
nights at 10PM-- a virtual graveyard for most TV series, particularly
one aimed at a younger audience. In January 1975, the show was moved to
Friday nights at 8PM, where it remained until August, when it was
cancelled. McGavin found himself rewriting scripts and doing much of the
work of a producer without getting the full credit and compensation of
one. McGavin had been unhappy with what he felt was the show's "monster
of the week" direction, and an exhausting film schedule. He asked to be
released from his contract with two episodes remaining to be filmed,
which the network granted in light of the show's dwindling ratings.
anim8rfsk
May 13, 2018, 11:32:43 PM5/13/18
to
In article <atropos-428940...@news.giganews.com>,
His niece used to cut my hair. She looked exactly like Barbi Benton.
--
Join your old RAT friends at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1688985234647266/
BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
> I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
> the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
Cool, thanks
> I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
> the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
--
Join your old RAT friends at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1688985234647266/
BTR1701
May 13, 2018, 11:35:47 PM5/13/18
to
Dimensional Traveler
May 14, 2018, 1:10:49 AM5/14/18
to
--
Inquiring minds want to know while minds with a self-preservation
instinct are running screaming.
Adam H. Kerman
May 14, 2018, 1:18:08 AM5/14/18
to
BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
>the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
>One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
>"monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
>done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
>grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
>. . .
>I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
>the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
>One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
>"monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
>done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
>grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
Interesting, thanks
anim8rfsk
May 14, 2018, 1:38:59 AM5/14/18
to
In article <pdb5ol$s7c$1...@dont-email.me>,
None of the above. Never asked her out. I was hopelessly in love with
somebody else at the time. She ended up getting her hair cut there too.
:) And used her shiny new haircut to get a new fella.
Good times.
somebody else at the time. She ended up getting her hair cut there too.
:) And used her shiny new haircut to get a new fella.
Good times.
anim8rfsk
May 14, 2018, 1:39:17 AM5/14/18
to
RichA
May 14, 2018, 2:03:30 AM5/14/18
to
BTR1701
May 14, 2018, 8:33:17 AM5/14/18
to
In article <ef5a20ef-c9ec-47ed...@googlegroups.com>,
RichA <rande...@gmail.com> wrote:
> A great show canceled too soon with a travesty of a remake done decades
> later.
Not so much of a travesty, with Gabrielle Union in it.
> A great show canceled too soon with a travesty of a remake done decades
> later.
anim8rfsk
May 14, 2018, 10:21:37 AM5/14/18
to
Michael OConnor
May 14, 2018, 11:02:33 AM5/14/18
to
It's too bad Chris Carter never threw him a bone, so to speak, and never did an X Files episode about Kolchak. I was too young to really appreciate the Night Stalker show when it originally aired, and I am finally watching it on METV as it was too short a series to hit syndication. It was good, the scripts were not the best at times, but Darren McGavin was brilliant in the role, Kolchak was a role he was born to play.
I don't know why Carter didn't consider McGavin for a role when he was casting the X files, perhaps as Skinner, or even as Mulder's father.
I don't know why Carter didn't consider McGavin for a role when he was casting the X files, perhaps as Skinner, or even as Mulder's father.
anim8rfsk
May 14, 2018, 11:57:14 AM5/14/18
to
In article <d0bf8a12-51bd-4398...@googlegroups.com>,
McGavin appears twice in The X-Files. He was old and in poor health by
then, and only acted twice more before he died.
then, and only acted twice more before he died.
moviePig
May 14, 2018, 11:58:22 AM5/14/18
to
On 5/13/2018 11:01 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
> I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
> the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
>
> One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
> "monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
> done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
> grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
>
> [album notes]
> I just bought a copy of the soundtrack to KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER and
> the liner notes had some interesting trivia about the show.
>
> One thing mentioned was McGavin's dissatisfaction at the end with the
> "monster of the week" format. I'm not sure what else the show could have
> done. There was no series arc to play off of like the X-FILES had. No
> grand government conspiracy or anything else to tie the show together.
>
It was one of my favorite shows, and much of its appeal *was* its
monster-of-the-week format, watching Darren McGavin confront a renewing
assortment of both new and traditional threats. Unsurprisingly, those
are also the 'X-Files' episodes I find, by far, the most enjoyable.
Organized villainy is too much like real life.
--
- - - - - - - -
YOUR taste at work...
http://www.moviepig.com
BTR1701
May 14, 2018, 12:55:19 PM5/14/18
to
anim8rfsk <anim...@cox.net> wrote:
> In article <atropos-BDF972...@news.giganews.com>,
> BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>
>> In article <ef5a20ef-c9ec-47ed...@googlegroups.com>,
>> RichA <rande...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> A great show canceled too soon with a travesty of a remake done decades
>>> later.
>>
>> Not so much of a travesty, with Gabrielle Union in it.
>
> Oh, she hates you. I heard her and Maze talking.
What did they say? I'm not allowed to know.
> In article <atropos-BDF972...@news.giganews.com>,
> BTR1701 <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>
>> In article <ef5a20ef-c9ec-47ed...@googlegroups.com>,
>> RichA <rande...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> A great show canceled too soon with a travesty of a remake done decades
>>> later.
>>
>> Not so much of a travesty, with Gabrielle Union in it.
>
> Oh, she hates you. I heard her and Maze talking.
A Friend
May 14, 2018, 1:01:53 PM5/14/18
to
In article <anim8rfsk-2F163...@news.easynews.com>,
McGavin was to have made a third appearance on THE X-FILES, but his
health didn't permit it. Instead, they got M. Emmet Walsh to play
McGavin's brother in "The Unnatural," which also starred Jesse L.
Martin. It was broadcast on April 25 1999. McGavin died in 2006.
health didn't permit it. Instead, they got M. Emmet Walsh to play
McGavin's brother in "The Unnatural," which also starred Jesse L.
Martin. It was broadcast on April 25 1999. McGavin died in 2006.
anim8rfsk
May 14, 2018, 2:35:15 PM5/14/18
to
In article <BZadnR3EYfTtImTH...@giganews.com>,
Right now she's just trying to get you to follow her live tweet tonight
and hashtag (Lauren German calls them hash browns) to save Lucifer.
Oh bitter irony.
and hashtag (Lauren German calls them hash browns) to save Lucifer.
Oh bitter irony.
RichA
May 15, 2018, 12:36:41 AM5/15/18
to
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